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← Flight route ☏
Flight route

Delhi to Sri Lanka: Flight route

Written by The Trip Keeper team Content updated 30 Oct 2026 Facts last checked 30 Oct 2026
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The short answer

Three airlines fly nonstop from Delhi to Colombo - Air India, SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo - in about 3 hours 45 minutes. It is one of the easiest international routes from India: shorter than Delhi to many Indian cities, and Sri Lanka keeps the same time as India (UTC+5:30), so there is no jet lag at all. All international flights land at Bandaranaike International (CMB), about 32 km north of Colombo.

At a glance

Departure airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Nonstop flights
Yes[1]
Typical nonstop time
3 h 45 min[1]
Typical best one-stop time
7 h[1]
Time difference
Same time as India[2]
Arrival airports
Indira Gandhi International, Delhi (Terminal 3 for international departures) (DEL)
Bandaranaike International, Colombo (Katunayake) - 32 km north; expressway to the city in 30-45 minutes (CMB)
Jaffna International - for the north; short hops from Chennai (IndiGo), not served nonstop from Delhi (JAF)[1]

Airlines on this route

AirlineRoute
Air India Nonstop[1] · checked 30 Oct 2026
SriLankan Airlines Nonstop[1] · checked 30 Oct 2026
IndiGo Nonstop[1] · checked 30 Oct 2026

We do not show fares, because we have no live prices. Ask the airline, or ask us: we book the flights together with the trip.

Layovers

With three nonstop airlines at under four hours, a layover almost never makes sense from Delhi. One-stop routings via Chennai, Bengaluru or Mumbai only win on price, and they turn a 3 hour 45 minute hop into a 7 to 9 hour day. The one useful exception: if Jaffna and the north are your main goal, IndiGo flies Chennai to Jaffna, which can beat flying into Colombo and driving five hours north.

When to book

Compare all three nonstop airlines - Air India, SriLankan and IndiGo - as fares move independently and IndiGo often prices lowest on this route. Book early for the December-January peak (the best-weather season on the west coast) and for Indian school-holiday weeks, when seats sell out fast.

[1]

For parents and seniors

At 3 hours 45 minutes with zero time difference, this is one of the gentlest international flights for parents. Ask for wheelchair assistance at booking - the walk at Bandaranaike can be long - and pre-book a car to the hotel: the expressway into Colombo takes 30 to 45 minutes, longer at rush hour.

Our editorial view

Everything about Sri Lanka

Trips to Delhi to Sri Lanka

We have no open trip to Delhi to Sri Lanka right now. Tell us your dates and we will help you find one.

Quick questions

Which airlines fly nonstop from Delhi to Colombo?

Three: Air India, SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo, all nonstop from Delhi to Bandaranaike International (CMB), taking about 3 hours 45 minutes.

How long is the flight from Delhi to Colombo?

About 3 hours 45 minutes nonstop - shorter than Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi. One-stop routings via Chennai or Bengaluru take roughly 7 to 9 hours.

Do Indian passports need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Indians currently get a free 30-day ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), applied for online before travel through eta.gov.lk - India is on Sri Lanka's free-visa-scheme country list. See our Sri Lanka visa guide for the current rules and how to apply.

What is the time difference between India and Sri Lanka?

None at all. Sri Lanka runs on UTC+5:30, exactly the same as India, so there is no jet lag and no clock-watching on calls home.

Which airport do flights to Colombo land at?

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at Katunayake, about 32 km north of Colombo. The airport expressway reaches the city in roughly 30 to 45 minutes; Negombo beach town is much closer, about 15 minutes.

Can I fly directly to Jaffna or the south of Sri Lanka?

Not from Delhi. All international flights use Colombo (CMB), except Jaffna (JAF), which has short hops from Chennai on IndiGo. For the south (Galle, Mirissa) and the hill country, fly into Colombo and continue by road or train.

Sources

  1. FlightsFrom.com: DEL-CMB direct flight schedules (Delhi to Colombo) · checked 30 Oct 2026
  2. timeanddate.com: Time zone in Colombo, Sri Lanka (same as India, UTC+5:30) · checked 30 Oct 2026
  3. Sri Lanka ETA (eta.gov.lk): Tourist visa (ETA) free-of-charge for 40 countries incl. India from 25.05.2026 · checked 30 Oct 2026
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